Once a thief 1996, a canadian television film remake starring with nicholas lea and ivan sergei that was later spun off into a television series of the same name which ran from 1997 to 1998. Information about this film in the internet movie database. Anyone who already owns the killer and hardboiled will undoubtedly still find much to enjoy within once a thief. Overthetop action sequences and mindblowing gunplay get mixed with comedy and romance in this thrilling crowdpleaser. Once a thief is the 1996 madefortv remake of the 1991 chow yun fatstarring heist film of the same name. This twohour pilot for the canadian tv series is inspired by john woos 1991 hong kong film of the same title, but the story has been altered extensively. Once a thief is a movie of many different parts, and none of them really belong in the same film. John woos once a thief pazsaz entertainment network. Ii so itss great to see one of his lesser known films get a rerelease. Based on the newberywinning childrens books, this animated film follows a young boy who runs away to an island to rescue and befriend a baby dragon.
Director, john woo and star, chow yunfat always deliver the. Chow yunfat leslie cheung chu kong cherie chung kenneth tsang john woo david wu. Although remade once already as a directtocable film and syndicated series, woo still talks about remaking once a thief yet again as a big budget hollywood feature. Chow yunfat, leslie cheung, and cherie chung portray a trio of orphans who have grown to become art thieves. However, i say this with the most respect possible, because this is an insanely funny and exciting heist film. The gorgeous foreign locations and attractive cinematography recall alfred hitchockcary grant collaborations. The remake aired on the fox network and was hoped to be the beginning of a weekly series, but fox passed on it, and the series aired instead on the ctv television network in canada. The tiananmen square incident had taken its toll on john woo, who wanted to shoot a film about the corruption of the political world that results in authorities punishing the innocent. It is odd and kind of sad in a way that the stylishness that he is most adept at as a director is not what john woo most enjoys. John woo chose to do this film because he wanted to do something more lighthearted after the killer 1989 and bullet in the head 1990 which flopped in hong kong on their initial releases. And thats as much a warning as an inducement to watch. John woo really surprised the audiences with this mixture of acrobatic gunplay action and comedy. Once a thief 1991 internet movie firearms database. Once a thief showcases a more comical side of woo, who packs his script with screwball doubleentendres that translate shakily from cantonese but retains his facility for deft action photography and his thematic interest in friends trying to remain loyal in a.
He is best known for the films a better tomorrow 1986, hard boiled 1992, broken arrow 1996, and faceoff 1997. If this page is being served from any other site than it is not a. Once a thief is a remake of a alain delon one of woo and chows favorite actors movie called les adventiers and gets a lot of inspiration from cary grant another of the pairs favorite actors heist films from the 1950s and 60s like charade. Film ini disutradarai dan ditulis oleh john woo dengan copenulis janet chun dan clifton ko. He is considered a major influence on the action genre, known for his highly chaotic action sequences, stylized imagery, mexican standoffs, frequent use of slow motion and allusions to neonoir, wuxia and western cinema. All three were raised by the same father and in fact were most certainly street orphans. Born in southern china, john woo grew up in hong kong, where he began his film career as an.
In that fashion, his two protagonists cannot live up to their. Lighter in tone than most woo thrillers, this begins disconcertingly far away from the mean streets of hong kong as three master thieves plan to. The imdb studio at acura festival village at sundance. Once a thief 1965 starring alain delon, annmargret, van heflin and jack palance. It hasnt received the attention it deserves, but if you can get a hold of it, dont hesitate to rent it, or buy it. Fails to deliver the action goods that john woo fans want, and his skill with a romantic plot is not very good. Its not one of his better pictures, but does offer enough of his trademark touches and genuine entertainment value to be worthy of repeat viewings, and its certainly more fun than most of his later american movies. John woo, chinese film director noted for action movies that combine copious stylized violence with lyrical melodramatic depictions of male bonding. But it certainly is a oneofakind television movie these days. You end up yelling out when a bad guy gets it i did at least. Both the original and the remake were directed by john woo and the television film served as a pilot for a television series, which would subsequently air for one season from 1997 to 1998. Telefilm based on the 1991 feature film of the same title written and directed by john woo.
Executive producers, john woo, terence chang, glenn davis, william laurin. John woo directs the original actionpacked comedy starring chow yunfat as master thief red bean puddin. Once a thief 1991 film wikipedia, the free encyclopedia once a thief is a 1991 hong kong crime film written and. The movie was also made into a 1997 television series also of. With sandrine holt, ivan sergei, nicholas lea, robert ito. Once a thief is a remake of a 1991 film of the same name.
Brought up to be expert in all manner of criminal skills using everything from martial arts to superb abilities to con mac ramsey ivan sergei and li ann tsei sandrine holt are forced to use their expertise to. Once a thief is an actioncomedyromance movie involving the plight of three master thieves in the mode of pink panther. Once a thief is a stepping stone in that direction, most exemplified by the astonishing final action sequence. Once a thief john woo, 1991 the chinese cinema medium. Once a thief is an action packed comedic caper that really is an absolute blast to watch. Get online john woos once a thief the complete series today. Very loosely based on his 1991 film of the same name, john woos once a thief was produced as a pilot for a shortlived television series that was shown only in canada. The story begins with a successful art heist followed by a pledge to make this the last crime ever for the trio.
Once a thief is more a bythenumbers job than a rembrandt. Impossible 2, windtalkers directs this lightningpaced caper of stolen art and broken hearts starring chow yunfat crouching tiger, hidden dragon. A couple working for the triad boss tang decides to leaveflee the triad and. The movie was also made into a 1997 television series also of the same name. Perhaps destined to be the lost john woo film, once a thief is a tv movie woo directed for the fox network between working on broken arrow and faceoff. I only give it a 4 out of 5 because its overly comedic moments and silly plot holes prevent it from being an amazing action film. John woo would eventually learn how to correctly combine his bullethell style action with rewarding comedy in hard boiled he had to lean into it.
Once a thief is a 1991 hong kong caper film written and directed by john woo, starring chow yunfat, leslie cheung, cherie chung, kenneth tsang and paul. A couple working for the triad boss tang decides to leaveflee the triad and hong kong. Once a thief has all the trademark woo features exaggerated shoot outs, fastpaced action, melodrama, and romance. Chow yun fat, leslie cheung, cherie chung, kenneth tsang, paul chu kong, dan masih banyak lagi. Are you looking download or watch john woos once a thief the complete series for free enjoy it. Film ini dikenal untuk pemeranpemerannya yang merupakan aktoraktor bintang tionghoa. John woo is often remembered for hard boiled, or mi. Alain delon, annmargret, van heflin, jack palance, john davis chandler, jeff corey, steve mitchell, tammy locke, tony musante, zekial marko, russell lee, yuki shimoda, spencer chan, sam flint, robert foulk et paul frees. Compare it to johnnie tos caper heistromantic comedy yesterday once more, which is faster. Mac ramsey ivan sergei and li ann tsei sandine holt are lovers and professional thieves who are separated while fleeing the powerful hong kong underworld crime lord robert ito.
In 1991, woo softened the blood letting for a light romantic comedy, once a thief. Once a thief tv series wikipedia, the free encyclopedia once a thief also billed as john woos once a thief is a 1997 canadian television show inspired by the 1996 film of the same name. Once a thief is a 1991 hong kong caper film written and directed by john woo, starring chow yunfat, leslie cheung, cherie chung, kenneth tsang and paul chu. Chow yun fat is at his most charismatic and he is wellcomplimented by leslie cheung and regular costar cherie chung. Show information, episode list, cast, and airdates. Allow me to introduce you to its cheap canadian knockoff, once a thief 1996. Given all that, the film can only be described with one phrase. Once a thief is not a very characteristic film for woo, feeling a lot like a hired gun project.
As a tv movie, it doesnt have the polished production values and special effects of even woos hong kong films, but its a. Once a thief 1991 john woo synopsis, characteristics. For this 1991 action comedy from hong kong, director john woo took a break from his ultraviolent thrillers. Once a thief 1996 internet movie firearms database.
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